Effects of Oral Exercise on Oral Function among Japanese Dependent Elderly Individuals Living in Nursing Facilities

Naoko Morisaki

doi:10.15344/2394-4978/2018/301

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose is to clarify the relationship between oral exercise and oral function in dependent elderly patients in nursing facilities. Methods: The subjects are dependent elderly people aged 65 years or older admitted to nursing facilities for elderly people in Japan. Dependent elderly people gathered for group oral exercises, with the guidance of medical welfare professionals, over 3 days a week, once a day, once for about 15 minutes. The exercises included were neck, shoulder, upper limb, tongue, lip, cheek movement, vocalization, deep breathing, and so on. Oral function was evaluated before oral exercises, 3 months after implementation, and 6 months after implementation. To evaluate oral function, tongue pressure and Oral Diadochokinesis (OD) were used. Results: Before starting oral exercises, there were 62 participants; after 3 months there were 36, and after 6 months there were 25. The average value of tongue pressure prior to exercise was 22.52±9.44kPa; after 3 months it was 24.80±10.90kPa; after 6 months the value was 26.85±10.56kPa. OD’s /pa/ average value prior to exercise was 4.0±1.1 times per second; after three months the value was 4.2±1.2 times per second; after 6 months it was 5.3±3.6 times per second. The /ta/ value prior to exercise was 4.1±1.2 times per second; after 3 months the value was 4.1±1.2 times per second; after 6 months it was 5.4±3.6 times per second. The /ka/ value prior to exercise was 3.6±1.2 times per second; after 3 months the value was 3.8±1.0 times per second; after 6 months it was 4.7±3.2 times per second. Analysis of oral function evaluation values before and after oral exercises by corresponding one-way variance showed a significant increase in tongue pressure 6 months after oral exercises. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that oral exercise is effective in improving oral function in dependent elderly people. We think that it is necessary to continuously perform oral exercise with guidance by professionals to improve dependent elderly people’s oral function.

Highlights

MethodsPneumonia is the third leading cause of death among all age groups in Japan, but yearly deaths from pneumonia are increasing among the elderly
Many elderly pneumonia cases are caused by pulmonary aspiration, and the rate of cases of pulmonary aspiration increases with age [1]
From some previous studies [3], it is clear that declining oral function among the elderly is a primary factor leading to severe conditions such as pneumonia, and it is closely related to health prognosis

Summary

Introduction

Pneumonia is the third leading cause of death among all age groups in Japan, but yearly deaths from pneumonia are increasing among the elderly. In 2016, 97.3% of pneumonia deaths were of people 65 and older; among those in long-term care pneumonia is the leading cause of death at 30%. Many elderly pneumonia cases are caused by pulmonary aspiration, and the rate of cases of pulmonary aspiration increases with age [1]. Aspiration occurs when, owing to a decline in oral function, chewed food does not move smoothly from the pharynx to the stomach. From some previous studies [3], it is clear that declining oral function among the elderly is a primary factor leading to severe conditions such as pneumonia, and it is closely related to health prognosis

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Conclusion